When it comes to building a warehouse, storage facility or industrial unit, fire safety should be a top concern for builders and designers.
These types of structures are susceptible to fire risks due to their size, storage of flammable materials and potential for high occupancy.
In this blog post, we will discuss the key issues and considerations for fire safety in warehouse and industrial unit construction.
Means of Escape
One of the most important aspects of fire safety in these types of buildings is providing adequate means of escape for occupants.
Due to the large size of warehouses, they may not fall within the scope of standard guidance for travel distance in Approved Document B.
As such, designers may need to refer to alternative guidance such as BS9999 or utilise fire engineer principles for more complex projects.
It is important to consider the intended use of the building and any associated fire risks when designing the means of escape.
For example, if high base storage or automated systems are being used, this could significantly impact travel distances and require additional provisions.
Office Accommodation
In many cases, warehouses and industrial units will also include office accommodation.
This area may be considered ancillary to the main building use, but it is important to ensure that it is adequately separated from the warehouse space with 60-minute compartmentation.
The location of office accommodation can also impact fire safety considerations, as having it located at the opposite end of the building from the main entrance may require a secondary protected staircase for means of escape.
Additionally, furniture layouts and internal rooms can further increase travel distances and should be carefully considered when designing the means of escape.
Escape from Roofs
Another often overlooked aspect of fire safety in warehouse and industrial unit construction is providing safe egress from the roof.
This is particularly important for buildings with large roofs that may have plant equipment or access points for maintenance.
Designers must consider the best routes for escape and ensure that there is adequate communication between roof occupants and those inside the building in case of an emergency.
This can be achieved through the use of buddy systems and the inclusion of wheelchair refuge spaces with communication points.
Fire Resistance
Compartment walls are often used to separate different use classifications within the same building or between different organisations.
It is important to carefully consider the fire resistance of these walls and ensure that any structural steelwork passing through them is adequately protected to delay distortion at the junction.
Thermoplastic roof lights are not acceptable within 1500mm of compartment walls, and the overall relationship between buildings on the same site should also be considered to prevent external fire spread.
Building Boundaries
Another key consideration for fire safety in warehouse and industrial unit construction is the proximity of boundaries, both land ownership boundaries and notional boundaries created between buildings on the same site.
Guidance in BR187 recommends specific allowances for unprotected areas based on the height, width, and distance to the boundary.
It also allows for considerations such as sprinkler systems and internal compartmentation to potentially increase these allowances.
Firefighting Access
Lastly, designers must consider access requirements for firefighting.
This includes providing perimeter access for a pumped appliance, but for larger buildings with high roofs, access for a high reach appliance may also be required.
The relationship between building walkways, pavements, and overall road widths should also be taken into account to ensure adequate access in case of a fire.
In conclusion, when it comes to warehouse and industrial unit construction, fire safety should be a top priority.
Designers must carefully consider means of escape, office accommodation, escape from roofs, fire resistance, building boundaries, and firefighting access when planning and designing these types of buildings.
By following proper guidelines and utilizing alternative guidance when needed, builders can create safer structures that can withstand potential fire risks.
